SQL Server - Date arithmetic - adding days

If you are adding days to a date is there a compelling reason to use
DATEADD()rather than
datevalue + #days

Aaron Bertrand [SQL Server MVP] replied on 12-Jul-07 08:28 AM

Clarity, mostly. Think about other people who have to read the code... is
the next person going to know that date addition/subtraction is in days?

DukeCare replied on 12-Jul-07 08:48 AM

Aaron -
I'm not that experienced in T-SQL, and have made the assumption that any
time you add an integer to a datevalue you are, by definition, adding days.
Is that a bad assumption?
At any rate, I accept your reason as valid. Thanks

Aaron Bertrand [SQL Server MVP] replied on 12-Jul-07 08:54 AM

It's not a bad assumption, mainly because it's correct. However, not
everyone is going to come to that same assumption, and if that person
assumes wrong and then changes the code to use DATEADD(MINUTE or MONTH...
A

Aaron Bertrand [SQL Server MVP] replied on 12-Jul-07 08:55 AM

Another reason to use DATEADD() is if you are going to change the logic from
(dt)-1 to (dt) - 12 hours or (dt) - 1 week, the code is easier to maintain.
That's a weak reason. As an aside, I use simple integer math for days, but
that doesn't mean I consider it best practice. :-)

Tibor Karaszi replied on 12-Jul-07 12:36 PM

I agree. Whenever I see just an addition, I have to stop and think for a while. If I see DATEADD, I
know immediately what it does.
--
Tibor Karaszi, SQL Server MVP
http://www.karaszi.com/sqlserver/default.asp
http://sqlblog.com/blogs/tibor_karaszi

ctoto replied on 12-Jul-07 02:12 PM

On Jul 12, 5:22 am, Duke Carey <DukeCa...@>
Not much of a difference when you only add 1 to 7 days, what about
adding 31 days? Is this a month? Is this in February, then should it
be 28 days/29 days/30 days... DATEADD will take care of the various
units, week, month, quater, year...
See: http://www.sqlhacks.com/index.php/Dates/Dates
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